Celebrities Are All in on Prada's Frankenstein Fashion, and So Are We
Back in February, when I first saw Prada’s autumn/winter 2019 collection based on Mary Shelley’s famous monster, Frankenstein, I wasn’t sold. The collection was a tad too themed for my taste. I wondered, Where would I wear clothes that have such obvious Halloween-inspired motifs (both the colorways and prints are seriously spooky)? Several months later, my stance has changed, and the answer is: I would wear the Prada AW19 collection everywhere and anywhere. I’d happily rock the lightning bolt dress, with its pin-up silhouette, to brunch, and wear the Frankenstein printed tee to a business meeting. I have learned to love the collection, and a slew of celebrities are also on board, wearing pop-art prints any chance they get.
To start, Gigi Hadid walked the Prada AW19 runway and starred in the brand’s latest campaign, which had major sci-fi, mad-scientist laboratory vibes (it’s like chemistry class but cooler). The campaign, which was filmed by artist Willy Vanderperre, was equal parts beautiful and ominous, and set in a well-dressed post-apocalyptic world. The campaign’s film gave us insight into the collection’s ethos: fashion for adventurous people living in a world on the brink of collapse.
But Gigi Hadid isn’t the only celebrity connected to Prada’s latest collection. The Mary Shelley-inspired print has been spotted on actors Maisie Williams and Madelaine Petsch, who both, fittingly, wore the looks to Comic-Con, where it was perfectly at place among cosplayers and comic-book merch.
Previously, Yara Shahidi, Rowan Blanchard, Marsai Martin, Quavo, and even Jeff Goldblum, have rocked the print. These celebs are known for being courageous dressers and make wearing Halloween-esque clothes outside of October a breeze.
Another notable mention: Ava DuVernay wore a Prada gown, based on the AW19 collection, to the Met Gala. The single rose featured on the front of her dress had major cinematic vibes (think Citizen Kane and Beauty and the Beast), which fit nicely with the camp theme.
The Prada collection is instantly recognizable and stands out from fashion trends of late that are more prairie chic than sci-fi pop art, making it an iconic collection from the brand. It doesn’t hurt that the clothes are just inherently badass.
Plus, the asymmetrical prints throughout the collection allude to the mismatched body of the so-called monster, a metaphor that book-lovers can appreciate and makes me love the collection that much more.
Frankenstein is a famously misunderstood text. For one, Frankenstein is the name of the creator, not the monster. But also, it’s not so much a horror story as it is a story about wanting to make real connections with others. It seems that thinking Prada’s AW 19 collection is just horror-themed fashion is perpetuating a similar myth. In reality, the collection seems to be about agency and standing out in a crowd.
If you can’t commit to a head-to-toe Frankenstein print, the accessories are the perfect pop of eccentricity for any outfit. The collection is a bit outside of my current budget (the wares can set you back around $1,000 a pop), but you can bet I’ll be keeping my eyes open for pieces at consignment stores. The collection is a perfect investment since it’s a classic that you can wear for many seasons to come.
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
